Ferry Sinks in Southern Philippines, Leaving at Least 15 Dead and Dozens Missing

A ferry carrying about 350 people sank in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 15 dead and 28 missing. Rescue teams have saved at least 316 people, and authorities are investigating the cause while continuing search and rescue operations.

A ferry carrying around 350 people sank in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, resulting in at least 15 deaths and leaving 28 people still missing, authorities confirmed. The accident occurred at 1:50 a.m. local time (1750 UTC) when the passenger vessel, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, departed from Zamboanga en route to Jolo in Sulu province.
The vessel sank during good weather conditions approximately a nautical mile, or nearly two kilometers, from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province, Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua told news agency The Associated Press. The ferry was operating within its authorized passenger limit of 352 people, carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the incident.
"There was a coast guard safety officer on board, and he was the first to call and alert us to deploy rescue vessels," Dua said, noting that the safety officer survived the accident. His quick response helped accelerate the initial rescue efforts, preventing further loss of life.
Rescue operations have so far saved at least 316 people, with search teams continuing to locate the 28 still missing, Dua told Agence France-Presse. Fifteen fatalities have been confirmed. A coast guard aircraft is en route to support the operation, while the Philippine Navy and Air Force have deployed additional assets to assist in the rescue efforts.
Emergency responders in Basilan are facing challenges coping with the large number of survivors arriving at medical facilities. Ronalyn Perez, a local emergency responder, told AFP that the surge of patients has put a strain on resources. "The challenge really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment," she said, adding that at least 18 survivors had already been transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Authorities have launched a marine casualty investigation to determine the cause of the sinking. "We cannot say for now the reason for the sinking, but we were instructed to conduct a marine casualty investigation to determine the cause," Dua said. He emphasized that the immediate priority remains the ongoing rescue and ensuring the safety of all survivors.
The incident highlights the risks associated with maritime travel in the Philippines, where ferry accidents are not uncommon due to factors such as overcrowding, vessel maintenance issues, and challenging sea conditions in certain areas. Local authorities have vowed to intensify safety measures and strengthen monitoring to prevent similar tragedies in the future.